Pendergast won't return to Cardinals

by Kent Somers - Feb. 7, 2009 01:22 PMThe Arizona Republic

Less than a week after Super Bowl XLIII, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt faces the task of replacing his offensive and defensive coordinators, who are departing the organization for vastly different reasons.

It was confirmed Saturday that the Cardinals fired defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, just days after offensive coordinator Todd Haley became the new head coach of the Chiefs.

“Like every decision, it comes down to what's best for the team and what gives us the best chance to win,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a statement released by the team.

The change at defensive coordinator is not a surprise. There were rumblings late in the season that Pendergast was on shaky ground, although his defense played well in the playoffs.

Pendergast was a holdover from former coach Dennis Green's staff, and Whisenhunt was encouraged by management at the time to keep Pendergast.

When he was hired in 2007, Whisenhunt was interested in hiring Steelers linebacker coach Keith Butler, but Butler was under contract and the Steelers declined to let him interview.